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| Wal-Mart to Sell Generic Drugs for $4 (Tampa then Flordia for test) |
| 2006-09-21 |
| TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Wal-Mart announced today that it will start a test program in Florida, where it will sell generic prescription drugs for $4 for a 30-day supply. The test will start tomorrow in 65 Tampa Bay-area stores and is to expand to the whole state by January. In a statement, CEO Lee Scott says the world's largest retailer intends to "take the program to as many states as possible next year." On average, generic drugs tend to cost between $10 and $30 for a month-long supply. The world's biggest retailer said Thursday that it will test the program in Florida and it will include 291 generic drugs available for conditions from allergies to high-blood pressure. The plan is available to its employees and customers, including those without insurance. Wal-Mart officials said the reduced price represents a savings to the customer of up to 70 percent on some drugs. "Wal-Mart is taking this step so our customers and associates can get the medicines they need at a cost they can afford," Bill Simon, executive vice president of the company's professional services division, said in announcing the plan at a Tampa, Fla., store. The program will be launched on Friday at 65 Wal-Mart, Neighborhood Market and Sams' Club pharmacies in the Tampa Bay area and will be expanded to the entire state in January. Simon wouldn't be specific about why Florida and specifically the Tampa Bay area was chosen for the rollout of the initiative, saying only that there was a need for it here. After this announcement its shares fell 17 cents to $48.70 in morning trading on the New York Stock Exchange. |
| Posted by:3dc |
| #1 Be interesting to see liberals picketing WalMart now. |
| Posted by: DoDo 2006-09-21 16:41 |